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Healthcare Support

Occupational Therapy Aides

Under close supervision of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, perform only delegated, selected, or routine tasks in specific situations. These duties include preparing patient and treatment room.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Occupational Therapy Aides
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Median pay

$37,370
Median annual pay for Occupational Therapy Aides.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

2.5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

600
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

5,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Occupational Therapy Aides in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Therapy and Counseling
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Psychology
  5. 5Computers and Electronics
  6. 6Education and Training

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Problem Sensitivity
  3. 3Oral Expression
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Speech Clarity
  6. 6Speech Recognition

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Empathy
  2. 2Cooperation
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Attention to Detail
  5. 5Social Orientation
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Assisting and Caring for Others
  2. 2Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Performing General Physical Activities
  5. 5Getting Information
  6. 6Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Work context

  1. 1Contact With Others
  2. 2Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  5. 5Physical Proximity
  6. 6Health and Safety of Other Workers

Representative tasks

  • Encourage patients and attend to their physical needs to facilitate the attainment of therapeutic goals.
  • Report to supervisors or therapists, verbally or in writing, on patients' progress, attitudes, attendance, and accomplishments.
  • Observe patients' attendance, progress, attitudes, and accomplishments and record and maintain information in client records.
  • Prepare and maintain work area, materials, and equipment and maintain inventory of treatment and educational supplies.
  • Transport patients to and from the occupational therapy work area.
  • Instruct patients and families in work, social, and living skills, the care and use of adaptive equipment, and other skills to facilitate home and work adjustment to disability.
  • Assist occupational therapists in planning, implementing, and administering therapy programs to restore, reinforce, and enhance performance, using selected activities and special equipment.
  • Demonstrate therapy techniques, such as manual and creative arts and games.

Software and tools

MEDITECH software · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyBilling softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareScheduling software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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